Lubricating apparatus



April 28, 1936 l.. c. ROTTER ET A1.

LUBRI CATING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1935 Patented Apr; 28, 1936 atlassen nmmmoammanu'mst nmwimoznntter; Glendalaandumngfmmanna.

assignorsttaliincolmngineerlngg eroxnuamg,Stilouis;1Min,,incorporatiinmiilitlisaa soul-I I Anuman. Anruf agrees., Noi. meer:

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'msmventmntmiatestouuuricaungapparatua ano?. with regardi to certaixr., momf specic feahansting the'. pump but which is relieved "when-f.' the pump is tiisc'onnechadY its source ofaiici supply; the provision of; apparatus ofv the,x class I described; m which priming sur is used toiefreet. a diierential plungerl return4 action but in. which during the pumping strokethe diierential return action is neutralized sa as to obtain maximum pressure from the motivating air used; the provision of apparatus off this class having improved filling means; and the provision of apparatus whichis simple m. operation and both simple and compact in construction. Other objects will be in part obvious and` in part pointed out hereinafter,A

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of` parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which-will. b e indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is i1- lustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig.. 1 is 'a longitudinal section embodying the invention, certain valve parts having been eliminated for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on'line 2,-2 of 40 Fig. 1 but showing said valve parts;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken on Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectionA taken on videdi withY a4 cylinder# adapted;l tot slidablgf reaqeu/,e a pmngee In. 'me forward entr ce' um Y' plunger III; isa-coni@ aaiinlcat'ed at numeraii It! andi the` reawardi endi oit thepylinder 3. is, bew- 5' eledj as shown., at: numeral I5? tra-,mere reaidl eftect assembly off the head1 3?.' with. the; I:., The head 3f alsoitzauusiesV am inlet; conneetinn Iit for? the off lubricant. said? connection being provided` with; an. outwardly: seating4 ball 10 check valve Isita/'prevent outwardow of. lubri# cant, once the. pump has been 'Ihe plunger: ISI? threaded totv a. md' It., a suit,

able cross passage z'for'a'wrenchor the like.-

being'v provided'for this purpose. A iioating. fol-1 15" lower piston` 2.3 is. provided with suitable sealing 1 means 2l operative botlr in connection rwiththe wan-0f th. cylinder tandwith said ma 2|; The

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purpose off the piston 25.y is to diuide the'cylinder` I (Fig. 1); into two compartments, namely, .a forwardly located lubricantcompartment (to the left of the piston) and a rearwardly located `air compartment (to the right of the piston). v

There is screw threaded and sealed to the rear- Ward end.- of cylinder t a control head 29 which has a closing diaphragm 3| therein,

On the inner side of this diaphragm 3| is threaded a diii'erential cylinder 33 whichextends coaxially with, and into the cylinder I. The rear end of the rod 2| carries a diilerential piston 35 which operates in the cylinder 33. On the other side of 'the piston35 is'provided a rigid, hollow extension 31 which passes through the diaphragm 3|, being packed therein by means 35 of .a packing' 39. The extending stem 31 carries a power piston 4I upon the righthand side of the diaphragm 3|, said piston 4I operating in a closed cylinder cap 43 screwed to said head 23.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the head 39 is 40 provided with an air inlet iitting 41 adapted to receive an air chuck of an air line under pres-'- l sure. The fitting 4'! screws into a recess` 49 in which is a valve 5I. The recess andthe valve may transmit air about the valve (see Fig. 4), 45 -due to square, relieved portions 52.' Thus air may pass from the fitting 41 and around the valve 5I when the valve is removed from its seat However, the valve is normally pressed to its seat to close oil the air by means of a spring 5o 55.

The valve 5| has a. stem 51 which passes through a', passage 59 and to the stem 6I oi' a y second valve G3. 'Ihe body of the valve 63 snugly but slidably tits the hole in which it works, so

that no passage to atmosphere is provided around the valve. However, a passage 54 to atmosphere is provided in the head 29.

A handle 65 pivoted to the head 29 cooperates with the outer end 61 of the valve G3 so that upon pressing the handle 65, said valve 53 may be seated against its seat 45 and the valve 5| unseated from its seat 53, both against the pressure of spring 55 and the air line pressure.

Thus, when the valve 5I is unseated, air may.

flow in from the vttirig 41 intoV the passage 59. A 4side passagell (Fig. 1) communicates with passage 59 and passes into communication with said differential -cylinder 33.

Beyond the seat 45 there is also a passage 13 l communicating from said passage'59 andV to the region beneath piston 4| in the cylinder `4'3.l Passage 19 leads from a point ahead of 'seat 53 to the cylinder I (Fig. 3).

Operation of the device is as follows, assuming some lubricant to be inthe cylinder I ahead of piston 25:

By means 'of an air chuck, an air hose isplaced in connection with the air receiving tting 41. Priming air immediately iiows to the cylinder I to force the follower 25 against the lubricant ahead of it. The plunger is back and out of cylinder 9, because of air pressure below the dif'- ferential lpiston 35. Hence open cylinder 9 is primed by grease under air pressure. The air,

normally pressing upon the valve 5| holds it to its seat 53 to check any ow past the same. Next, the nozzle valveA 6 is placed in communication with the opening which it is desired to have receive the lubricant. When the lever 65 is pressed, the exhaust valve 63 is seated, the inlet valve 5| is opened and air is admitted to the passage 59,

but not tothe passage 13. Hence air under pressure passes through the. sideward passage 1| (Fig. 1) to the cylinder 33 to .impress its force upon the top of diiferential piston 35 to produce a balanced condition and cancelling the returnaction of air therebeneath.

Some of the charge of air which enters the cylinder 33 passes through the hollow stem 31, via the port 11 and out into the cylinder 43,

`where it impresses its force upon lthe .top of power piston 4| to force the plunger II'into the cylinder 9 Vto discharge lubricant therefrom. In the meantime air exhausts from beneath the piston 4| via passage 54.

Upon releasing the handle 65, the flow ofvair to the passage 59 is cut oi by valve 5|, and thus vflow is cut off tothe top of the piston 4| in the tained behind the follower piston 25 and in the cylinder I because of passage 19 leading from a point ahead of the valve 5| in .communication with the inlet ttin'g 41, every time that an air line is attached to the fitting 41, priming air is immediately forced into the cylinder'l behind the follower 25 and said pressure is released as soon as the air line is removed. Thus no reliance is placed upon holding an isolatedcharge of air.y

in the cylinder I. Thus, each time that a connection is made, the device is primed and made ready for a power stroke.

One mode of iilling the device is to connect a lubricant filler line to the inlet I1 and force lubricant through the check valve I9 againstl piston 25 which is thus automatically forced back.

At this time there is no air line connected to the fitting 41 so that the air pressure behind the follower piston 25 is atmospheric and as the follower proceeds inwardly, the air is exhausted through port 19 and open tting 41. A stop 8| automatically limits travel vof the follower piston 25 and the charge of lubricant.

Sometimes the user' isvnot equipped with filling apparatus of the class above referred to. In this event he may unscrew the front cap 3 and insert the open end of the cylinder] (when empty) into a bucket` of lubricant. The other cap 29 may then be, or has been previously unscrewed. It is pulled back, thus causing the rod 2| to be withdrawn so that the plunger contacts with the'following piston 25. By this means the follower piston 25 is withdrawn to draw in lubricant.

It will be noted that the stop 8| is so arranged that the follower inits rearmost position is not interfered with by the differential cylinder 33 when the vlatter is reinserted by screwing the head 29 back into position on the cylinder Application vof air pressure then immediately effects a suction stroke preparatory to a pumping operation, as above disclosed.

It will be noted that the plunger is with-V drawn entirely from pump cylinder 9. Upon reentry, the plunger |I is properly guided within the nmits provided by the come shape la and the bevel I5 by reason of the fact that a bearing and guiding action is eected by the follower 25,l the differential piston 35 and thepower of piston 4|.

Among the advantages of the invention may be noted:

` 1. The provision oi priming air behind lubricant whenever an air line is attached to the compressor;'and the provision for automatic release of priming pressure whenever the air line is disconnected, so that the operator is assured the' when he takes oif the heads for iilling that no v unforeseen exudation will occur.

,2..The pressure of the priming air serves (a) to place the lubricant under pressure and (b) to actuate the differential piston 35 so as to draw out the plunger I| to effect a positive and complete priming charge in the cylinder 9.v

3. The air for actuating the power piston 4I is used duringits passage to the rear of said piston to balance the differential piston 35 sc` that the action of the priming air in eiecting a suction stroke is oifset, and whereby a maximurr effectis obtained from the air on the compressing stroke. f 4; The device is unitary, compact, easy and safe to operate and fill. No complicated mechanisms are employed.

In View of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all -matter contained in. the above description" or shown in the accompanying drawing sha-libe interpreted as illustrative and `notin a limiting sense.

il. In apparatus of the class describe-d, a main cylinder, a head on the forward end of said cylinder carrylng'a pumping cylinder, a plunger cooperating with said pumping cylinder, a rearward extension from the plunger passing through said main cylinder, a follower in the main cylinder and .surrounding sa'd extension, said main cylinder ycarrying lubricant ahead of said follower and 'having an air chamber therebehind, an enclosing head on the rear of said cylinder, a power cylinder associated with said head, a dfferential cylinder extending from said head and into said main cylinder, said extension passing through said differential cylinder and through said head and into the power cylinder and having a hollow 4portion effecting communication between the dierential cylinder and the power end of the power cylinder, a differential piston on the extension in said differential cylinder andA a power piston thereon in said power cylinder, said head having passages for introducng priming air into said chamber and air into and out of said differential cylinder and for exhausting air from beneath the power piston and valve means inA said rearward head adapted in one position to effect distribution of air to the differential cylinder and hence also to the power endo'f the 4power cylinder and in another position to exhaust the differential cylinder and hence also the power end .of the power cylinder.

2. In apparatus, of the classdescribed, a main cylinder, pumping means at the front end of said cylinder, an extension from said pumping means passing -through saidcyli-nder, a follower surrounding said extension and positioned Vin said main cylinder, an auxiliary power cylinder associated with said main cylinder, a piston in said power cylinder, said extension from the pumping means reaching power piston, a differential cylinder communicating inwardly with the main cylinder, a differential piston attached ,to said extension, and in said differential cylinder, means for `introducing priming air behind said follower in said main cylinder and hence against the differential piston to effect -a suction stroke of said pumping means, means for introducing air pressure against the oppositel CII l 'piston associated with said connecting means, a v

side of the differential piston to balance the same and means to introduce air 'to the power sideof the power piston when the differential pistonis balanced.

3. In apparatus of the' class described, a pumpin g mechanism, alubricant supply chamber, a

' follower in saidchamber, an air motor for operating said pumping means, means connecting the pumping means andthe air motor, adifferential piston associated with said connecting means, a cylinder therefor, and valved means adapted in one position of parts to direct air-behind said side of said differential from the. other follower and against ,one piston while effecting exhaust side of the differential piston, position to direct air against the opposite side of the differential piston and to the air motor to energize the latter to operate the pumping mechanism.

4'. In apparaus of the class described, a-purnping mechanism, a lubricant supply chamber, a

follower in said chamber, ating said pumpingmeans, meansconnecting the pumping means and the air motor, `a differential cylinder therefor, and valved. means adapted in one position Ito direct air behind said followerv to and connecting with said' and in anotherA an air motor for operandj against said differential piston to effect a suction stroke of the pumping means'and priming thereof in one position of the valve means, and in another position to direct air to said air motor to effect a pumping stroke of said pumping means and at the same time to substantially balance the pressure on said differential piston.

5. In apparatus ofthe class described, a pump- 'ing mechanism, a lubricant supply chamber, a

thereof 'in one position of the valve means, said valve means being adapted to be placed in anvother position to direct air to said air motorto elfect a pumping stroke of said pumping means and at the same time against the opposite side of the differential piston to substantiallym balance said differential piston, said valve means in its original position effecting exhaust of the air motor and diiferential cylinder, whereby said air under pressure for priming again unbalances said differential piston and detachable means for leading air tothe valve means, the devicehaving a passage to pass air under pressure to the follower whenever attached but otherwise to exhaust and relieve the pressure on the follower.` y

6. In apparatus of the class described, a main cylinder, a forward head thereon comprising a pump cylinder having an outlet, a plunger `in said pump cylinder, an extension from said plunger reaching axially through said main cylinder, a follower in said main cylinder coaxial with the extension, said plunger being adapted to be drawn back in said pump cylinder, a head enclosing the rear of said main cylinder, a power cylinder extending coaxiallyrearwardly from said head, a differential cylinder extending coaxially from said head forwardly into said lmain cylinder, said extension from the plunger including a hollow portion passing through said head and into the power cylinder, a power piston on said extension in the 'power cylinder, and a differen- 2 tial piston on saidextension in Athe differential cylinder, said head having means for attaching an air line, and also having a passage delivering air to said main cylinder behndits follower only when the air line is attached, said'head* also hav- 2" ing passages for distributing air tothe differen-A tial and `power cylinders.

' 7. In apparatus of the class described, a main cylinder, a forward head thereon comprising a pump cylinder having an outlet, a plunger in -said pump cylinder, an extension from said plunger reaching' axially through sad main cylinder, a follower in said main cylinder coaxial'with the extension, said plunger being adapted to be drawn hollow portion' passing through said power pis- :delivering air to said main cylinder behind its follower, said head also having a passage for distributing air to the interior of the differential l from said compartment, a follower in said comcylinder and hence behind said power cylinder by way of said hollow portion of the extension, and valve means adapted to be set to exhaust air from said differential cylinder and consequently from said power cylinder to effect unbalance on the differential piston and a suction stroke of said plunger.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a main 'cylinder, pumping means at the front end of said cylinder, an operating extension from said pumping means passing through said cylinder, a

follower surrounding said extension and positioned in said main cylinder, a coaxial power cylinder associated with said Amain cylinder, a piston in said power cylinder, said extension from the pumping means reaching to and having a ton, a differential piston attached to said extension, a cylinder therefor surrounding said hollow portion-of the extension', said differential piston being exposed to pressure in the main eylinder,

means fo'r introducing priming air behind said follower in said main cylinder and means for introducing air under pressure to the differential cylinder, said hollow portion providing a communication between the differential cylinder and the power cylinder behind the power piston.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a lubricant supply compartment, a reciprocating pump adapted to withdraw and eject lubricant from said compartment, a follower in said compartment'forming a lubricant chamber on the side nearest the pump and providing an air chamber on the other side, an extension movable with said pump, a diiierential member carried by said extension exposed 'to the pressure in the air chamber, Athe arrangementbetween the follower and said exposed diierential member being such that normally the pump i's driven by way of said extension to draw in a charge as said follower is driven to force the charge thereto, a' power piston connected with the extensionand differential member, and valve means for introducing air on the power side of said differential member, which side, is opposite the side thereof exposed to the air chamber, and for introducing air to such side of the power pistou as will forceV the pump to execute an ejecting stroke.

10. In apparatus of the classv described, a lubricant supply compartment, a reciprocating pump adapted to withdraw and eject lubricant fromsaid compartment, a follower in said compartment forming a lubricant chamber on the side nearest the pump and /providing an lair chamber on the other side, anvextension movable with'said-pump, a dierential member carried by said extension exposed tothe pressure in the air chamber, the arrangement between the follower and saidexposed differential member -being such that normally the pump is driven by way of, said extension to draw in a-charg'e as said follower is driven toforce the charge thereto, a power piston connected with the'extension and differential member, and valve means for introducing air on the power side of said differential member, which side is opposite the side thereof'` l exposed to the air chamber, and for introducing air to such side ofthe power piston as will force the pump to execute an ejecting stroke, said valve means being adapted also to exhaust partment formng a lubricant chamber on the side nearest the pump andA providing an air Achamb'er on the other side, an extension movable with said pump, a differential member carried by said extension exposed to the pressure in the air chamber, the arrangement between the follower and said exposed differential member being such that normally the pump is driven by way of said extension to draw in a charge as said follower is driven to force the charge thereto, a power piston connected with the extension and differential member, and valve means for introducing air on the power side of said diiferentialmember, which side is opposite the side thereof exposed to the air chamber, and for introducing air to such side of the power piston as will force the pump to ex.- ecute an ejecting stroke, said valve means being adapted also to' exhaust air from the differential member and power piston, the apparatus having a passage for the free ow of air to and from the space below the power piston, and a passage for exhausting the air from the differential member through the space under the power piston.

12. In apparatus ofthe class described, a lubricant supply compartment, a reciprocating pump adapted to withdraw and eject lubricant from said compartment, a follower in said compartment forming a lubricant 'chamber on the side nearest the pump and providing an air chamber on the other side, an 'extension movable with said pump, a differential member carried by said extension exposed to the pressure in the air chamber, the arrangement between the.

follower and said exposed differential member being such that normally the puinp is driven by way of said extension to draw in a charge as said follower is driven to force the charge thereto, a power piston connected with the extension and differential member, and valve -means for introducing air on the power side of saiddiiferential member, which side is opposite the side Ythereof exposed'to the air chamber, and for introducing air to such side of the power piston as will forcehthe pump to execute an ejecting stroke, said valve means being adapted lalso to exhaust air from the differential member and power piston, the apparatus having 'a passage for the free flow of air to and from the space below the power piston, and said extension carrying a passage from the power side of the power piston to the power side of the differential member.

13. In a pump, a fluid reservoir, a reciprocating pump adapted to withdraw lubricant fromthe reservoir and eject it upon suction and compression strokes respectively, means for applying superatmospheric priming pressure inside of the reservoir and to the lubricant, differential means reciprocating with the pump normally exposed to said priming pressure and adapted to drive' 

